Gljúfrabúi

Useful Information

Location:	Hamragarðar. (63.6207562, -19.9863395)
Open:	no restrictions. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Gorge Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Gljúfrabúi, Tel: +354-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Gljúfrabúi means "one who lives in the canyon". it is a waterfall, but this waterfall is hidden in a gorge or some say a cave. As a waterfall it is sometimes called Gljúfrafoss, as foss is the Icelandic word for waterfall. Waterfalls are a result of a hard layer of rock on top of a soft layer, which happens quite commonly. Erosion caused by the flowing water erodes the soft layer while the hard layer resists and forms an edge. The next step is the plunge pool, when the water falls down some distance and then creates a circular depression which soon fills with water. The high energy of the fall causes the increased erosion, but then the water in the pool absorbs the energy and erosion happens mostly at the side. This is the back wall, where erosion creates a small cave, an overhang or shelter behind the waterfall. And then the retrograde erosion starts, where the river cuts into the hard rock layer on top creating a narrow canyon while the waterfall moves upstream. This is what happened here, a waterfall which moved some distance upstream and created a narrow gorge with almost vertical walls.

There are numerous reference to caves, which is actually a result of the narrow gorge, as ther is no real cave. Its more or less the same reasoning we use to explain why this website about underground sites lists gorges: because they are almost like caves, often it’s not possible to see the sky. Nevertheless, there is no cave, only a waterfall with the gorge it cut. Google Maps has a pin for Ompuhellir (Ompu Cave), which is actually not a cave, only an erosional wedge which forms a small shelter. According to legend it was used by a hermit woman, most likely with the name Ompu, who lived here. The early inhabitantants of islands though that waterfalls were places of power, this was probably the reason why she lived here.

As it is located only 600 m north of the famous Seljalandsfoss, some people actually come here as they are already here for the "important" one. In our opinion that’s nonsense, this is by far the more interesting waterfall of the two. The site is developed for tourism as there is a small parking lot, a trail to the gorge and an educational sign. There is also a trail from Seljalandsfoss. The gorge itself is not developed, if you enter you have to wade through the water, which is fortunately not very deep and level. Nevertheless, we recommend gum boots.